VFW Commander-In-Chief Visits Veterans At Worthington Post 7117

Tradewell Makes Note Of 110-Year History Of Doing The Right Thing

by Michael Stanley Staff Writer

Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-In-Chief Thomas Tradewell (center) made a planned stop at the Worthington VFW Post #7117 on Wednesday afternoon to visit with area veterans. Post #7117 Commander Ken Stalcup (left) and State Commander Harley Andrews (right) look on while Tradewell speaks of recent trips to Russia and China in an effort to increase the number of missing in action and killed in action soldiers returned to their families. (Staff Photo by Michael Stanley) Area members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States had an opportunity Wednesday afternoon to shake hands and visit with the organization's highest officer.

As part of a long road trip, Commander In-Chief Thomas Tradewell of Wisconsin's Post #6498 made a stop at Worthington's Post #7117.

"It's great to lead an organization of more than 1.5 million veterans, and it's been my honor to represent you since August," Tradewell said. "For 110 years, we've been doing the right thing. Back when the VFW started, the government didn't see fit to take care of its veterans in 1899. Troops came back from war, the first time when they were shipped to a foreign country, whether it was the Spanish-American War or the Cuba Crisis, the troops came back, and they didn't pay any attention to them or their families. I think we've made some great end-roads for veterans."

Tradewell expressed the support avenue for local VFW posts such as #7117, through the national offices in both Kansas City, Missouri and Washington, D.C.

"The real VFW is when you're in a post like this, in a community like this where the real work gets done," Tradwell said. "Making sure that the VFW is remembered, our soldiers, our military, when they go off and come back. We need to send them off, greet them when they come back, and take care of their families while they're gone."

Tradewell noted that in the past five years the VFW has spent $3 million to take care of the needs of families of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We've helped more than 2,900 families, repairing roofs, fixing leaky radiators on cars, paying rent when they needed it and buying food when they needed it," Tradewell added. "All politics is local. When you hear that your senator or congressman isn't taking care of veterans, I hope that you write that letter or make that phone call. We definitely need you on our side if we're going to be the strongest lobbying group for veterans."

Tradewell also spoke of recent trips abroad seeking closure for families of those killed or missing in action from past foreign conflicts.

"I went to Russia; I've gone to China to fight for the MIA issue, to let those countries know that we want to get into their archives and learn of any troops we have missing from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts," Tradewell said. "We want to make sure that every family possible gets closure. We're doing everything we can, and we appreciate everything you're doing."